Six-Eared Macaque looked around at everyone, straightened his robes, and pressed his palms together in a bow.
"Thank you, Holy Monk. Thank you, Elders."
Wukong waved his hands at once.
"Little Six, don't keep calling us Holy Monk and Elder. It sounds so distant."
Wukong walked over, reached out to ruffle the fur on his head, and smiled. "You're Bodhisattva Manjushri's disciple. Young as you are, your standing in the lineage isn't much different from ours. How about I take you as my little brother today?"
Six-Eared Macaque blinked. "Sure!"
"Then what should you call us?"
Wukong pointed at Xuanzang. "My master-you can call him Martial Uncle from now on."
Then he patted his own chest.
"Call me Monkey Brother."
Next, he jerked his chin toward A-Hu, who lay nearby. "She's Tiger Sister."
Finally, he pointed at Bajie, Little White Dragon, and Sha Wujing.
"As for these junior brothers of mine, call them Second Brother, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother, in that order. That'll save you calling us Elder this and Elder that all day."
Six-Eared Macaque nodded. "All right, Monkey Brother."
Six-Eared Macaque first bowed to Xuanzang.
"Martial Uncle."
Xuanzang smiled and nodded.
Six-Eared Macaque then turned to A-Hu. "Tiger Sister."
A-Hu lifted her head and answered readily, "That's right! Little Six, Tiger Sister's got your back from now on!"
Six-Eared Macaque turned to Bajie and called, "Second Brother."
Bajie's face lit up with delight. "Yes! That's more like it. Forget Elder Pig-Second Brother sounds much better."
Then came Little White Dragon. "Third Brother."
Little White Dragon smiled and answered too. "Mm, it's been quite some time since anyone called me that."
Last was Sha Wujing. "Fourth Brother."
Sha Wujing looked down at him, his honest face full of smiles, and said gently, "Little Stone, remember to call me